Thanks for ACR’s Physical geology [5th ed. (1878)]; delighted with its success, proving there is a large body of men in England capable of appreciating sound geological science.

Delighted with [William Thomson’s] report. "There can be no doubt now about the value of your work." CD has "not been so much pleased for a long time".

CD hopes GAG is right [see 11744]. His second law seems largely acted on in civilised societies. Evil that would follow from checking benevolence to weak and diseased would be greater than by allowing them to survive and procreate. CD doubts that artificial checks would be advantageous to the world at large. If birth could be prevented, and control were not thought immoral, "would there not be a danger of profligacy amongst unmarried women?"

Instructs FD to make some observations on movement in Trifolium and Impatiens. Sends some seeds to be sown.

Suggests experiment to detect salts deposited on surface of leaves.

Wants FD to have another go at horse-chestnut radicles.

Does not think sermon by E. B. Pusey [see 11763] is worth a reply. HNR may quote CD as saying that Pusey is "mistaken in imagining that I wrote the Origin with any relation whatever to Theology". Pusey’s attack will be powerless to retard belief in evolution.